Ukraine says Russia switching to 'scorched earth' tactics in Bakhmut

Ukrainian servicemen fire a self-propelled howitzer towards Russian troops, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, near the front line city of Bakhmut, Ukraine April 7, 2023. REUTERS/Oleksandr Klymenko

KYIV (Reuters) - The commander of the Ukrainian ground forces said on Monday that Russian troops had switched to "scorched earth" tactics in the embattled eastern city of Bakhmut and were destroying buildings and positions with air strikes and artillery.

Russia's assault on Bakhmut, a small city in the Donetsk region, has been the focus of the biggest battle of Moscow's full-scale invasion launched in February 2022.